Introduction: The “Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society Health Index” (ASAS-HI) questionnaire was developed to globally measure function and health status in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). Cut-off points have been proposed to determine different health states that were poorly evaluated in real-life patients. Objectives: To describe the health status measured by ASAS-HI in Argentine patients with axial SpA (AxSpA) and peripheral SpA (SpAp) in daily practice and to evaluate the factors associated with poor health. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional, analytical and multicenter study. Patients with SpAax and SpAp were consecutively included according to ASAS criteria, from 15 Argentine centers. Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analysis (multiple logistic regression) were performed to evaluate the factors associated with poor health status (ASAS-HI ≥12). To analyze the construct validity of the tool, Spearman correlation was performed between the ASAS-HI and other disease evaluation parameters. Results: 274 patients with SpA were included, with a mean age of 49 (± 14) years and a median duration of the disease of 62 months (p25-75: 24-135), 155 (56.6%) were male, 129 patients (47%) with AxSpA and 145 (52.9%) SpAp. According to the ASAS-HI, 119 patients (43.4%) had good health, 117 (42.7%) had moderate health and 38 (13.9%) had poor health. In patients with SpAp, the mean ASAS-HI value was 7 (p25-75: 3-10). The ASAS-HI positively correlated with: DAS28: rho: 0.5 (p <0.001) and HAQ: rho: 0.54 (p <0.001). The variable independently associated with poor health status was DAS28 (OR: 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.4, p: 0.029). In patients with AxSpA, the mean ASAS-HI value was 6 (p25-75: 2.75-10). The ASAS-HI showed correlation with: BASDAI: rho: 0.7 (p <0.001), ASDAS-ERS: rho: 0.7 (p <0.001), ASQoL: rho: 0.8 (p <0.001), BASFI rho: 0.75 (p <0.001). The variable that was independently associated with poor health was the ASDAS-ERS (OR 6.6, 95% CI 2-22, p 0.002). Conclusion: Poor health status was independently associated with higher disease activity in patients with AxSpA and SpAp. The ASAS-HI correlated with other parameters of the disease, which reinforces the construct validity of this new tool.

Introducción: El cuestionario “Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society Health Index” (ASAS-HI) fue desarrollado para medir de manera global la funcionalidad y el estado de salud en pacientes con espondiloartritis (EspA). Se han propuesto puntos de corte para determinar diferentes estados de salud que fueron poco evaluados en pacientes de la vida real. Objetivos: Describir el estado de salud medido por ASAS-HI en pacientes argentinos con EspA axial (EspAax) y periférica (EspAp) en la práctica diaria y evaluar los factores asociados al pobre estado de salud. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal, analítico y multicéntrico. Se incluyeron consecutivamente pacientes con EspAax y EspAp según criterios ASAS, de 15 centros argentinos. Análisis estadístico: Se realizó estadística descriptiva, análisis bivariado y multivariado (regresión logística múltiple) para evaluar los factores asociados al pobre estado de salud (ASAS-HI ≥12). Para analizar la validez de constructo de la herramienta se realizó correlación de Spearman entre el ASAS-HI y otros parámetros de evaluación de la enfermedad. Resultados: Se incluyeron 274 pacientes con EspA, con una edad media de 49 (±14) años y una duración mediana de la enfermedad de 62 meses (p25-75: 24-135), 155 (56,6%) de los pacientes eran de sexo masculino, 129 pacientes (47%) con EspAax y 145 (52,9%) EspAp. Según el ASAS-HI 119 pacientes (43,4%) presentaban buen estado de salud, 117 (42,7%) tenían estado de salud moderado y 38 (13.9%) pobre estado de salud. En los pacientes con EspAp el valor de ASAS-HI mediano fue de 7 (p25-75: 3-10). El ASAS-HI correlacionó positivamente con: DAS28: rho: 0.5 (p<0.001) y HAQ: rho: 0.54 (p<0.001). La variable asociada de manera independiente con pobre estado de salud fue el DAS28 (OR: 1.9, IC95% 1.1-3.4, p: 0.029). En los pacientes con EspAax el valor de ASAS-HI mediano fue de 6 (p25-75: 2.75-10). El ASAS-HI mostró correlación con: BASDAI: rho: 0.7 (p<0.001), ASDAS-ERS: rho: 0.7 (p<0,001), ASQoL: rho: 0.8 (p<0.001), BASFI rho: 0.75 (p<0.001). La variable que se asoció de manera independiente a pobre estado de salud fue el ASDAS-ERS (OR 6.6, IC95% 2-22, p 0.002). Conclusión: Un pobre estado de salud se asoció independientemente a mayor actividad de la enfermedad en pacientes con EspAax y EspAp. El ASAS-HI correlacionó con otros parámetros de la enfermedad, lo que refuerza la validez de constructo de esta nueva herramienta.

Resumo Filmes finos multicamadas de TiO2-CeO2 foram depositados pelo método de spin coating e calcinados a 500 e 700 °C. Os filmes finos foram caracterizados por difração de raios-X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de varredura por emissão de campo (MEV-FEG), microscopia de força atômica (MFA) e espectroscopia de reflectância difusa. As propriedades fotocatalíticas foram estimadas variando a concentração do corante azul de metileno (AM) quando iluminado por radiação UV. Os padrões de DRX mostraram que as temperaturas de 500 e 700 °C foram efetivas para obter as fases de TiO2 e CeO2. A diferença na homogeneidade dos filmes de TiO2 e CeO2 foi evidente nas imagens de MFA, onde os filmes apresentaram rugosidade média de 2,0 e 5,3 nm, respectivamente. Filme fino de TiO2-CeO2 obtido a 700 °C apresentou a melhor atividade fotocatalítica, reduzindo a concentração de AM em aproximadamente 80%, enquanto os filmes de CeO2 e TiO2 obtidos a 700 °C reduziram apenas 20% e 29%, respectivamente. O teste de reutilização mostrou que os filmes finos mantiveram sua atividade após 4 ciclos, não havendo necessidade de tratamento térmico, indicando ser um fotocatalisador imobilizado com alta eficiência na degradação do corante orgânico.

Abstract TiO2-CeO2 multilayer thin films were deposited by the spin coating method and calcined at 500 and 700 °C. Thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Photocatalytic properties were estimated by varying the concentration of the methylene blue dye (MB) when illuminated by UV radiation. The XRD patterns showed that the temperatures of 500 and 700 °C were effective to obtain TiO2 and CeO2 phases. The difference in the homogeneity of TiO2 and CeO2 films was evident in the AFM images, where the films showed an average roughness of 2.0 and 5.3 nm, respectively. The CeO2-TiO2 thin film obtained at 700 °C showed the best photocatalytic activity, reducing the concentration of MB by approximately 80%, while the CeO2 and TiO2 films obtained at 700 °C reduced only 20% and 29%, respectively. The reuse test showed that the thin films maintained their photocatalytic activity after 4 cycles, and there was no need for thermal treatment, indicating that it is an immobilized photocatalyst with high efficiency in the degradation of organic dyes.

Resumo Neste estudo, filmes finos de CeO2 dopados com Eu3+, Tb3+ e Tm3+ nas proporções de 2 e 4 %mol foram obtidos por spin coating e calcinados em 700 °C. Os filmes foram caracterizados pelas técnicas de DRX, MEV, MFA e UV-vis. As propriedades fotocatalíticas dos filmes finos foram determinadas pela degradação do corante azul de metileno (AM). Os filmes finos foram submetidos a 4 ciclos fotocatalíticos para analisar a capacidade de serem reusados. Os difratogramas de raios X mostraram que não houve a formação de fases secundárias, onde todos os picos foram referentes ao CeO2. As micrografias de MEV indicaram que a dopagem com 4 %mol promoveu a redução da espessura e porosidade superficial dos filmes finos. As imagens de MFA indicaram o aumento da rugosidade superficial com a dopagem utilizando terras raras. A dopagem com Eu3+, Tb3+ e Tm3+ aumentaram a atividade fotocatalítica em pelo menos 15% para os filmes dopados com 4 %mol. Os testes de reuso indicaram que a atividade fotocatalítica se manteve praticamente constante após a aplicação de quatro ciclos consecutivos.

Abstract In this study, thin films of Eu3+, Tb3+ and Tm3+ doped CeO2 in the proportions of 2 and 4 mol% were obtained by spin coating and calcined at 700 °C. The films were characterized by XRD, SEM, AFM and UV-vis techniques. The photocatalytic activity of the thin films was measured by the degradation of the methylene blue (MB) dye. The thin films were submitted to 4 photocatalytic cycles to analyze the capacity to be reused. XRD patterns showed no secondary phase formation, where all characteristic peaks were related to CeO2. SEM micrographs indicated that doping at 4 mol% promoted the reduction in the thickness and surface porosity of the thin films. AFM images indicated the increase in surface roughness with rare earths doping. Doping with Eu3+, Tb3+ and Tm3+ increased the degradation of the methylene blue dye by at least 15% for thin films doped at 4 mol%. The reuse tests indicated that the photocatalytic activity remained practically constant even with the application of four consecutive cycles.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os aspectos biológicos de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) e elaborar a tabela de vida de fertilidade deste inseto em cinco linhagens de milho provenientes do Programa de Melhoramento de Milho da Embrapa Clima Temperado. Foram determinadas a duração e sobrevivência das fases de ovo, larva, pré-pupa e pupa, peso de pupas, deformações, longevidade, fecundidade e período de pré-oviposição. A linhagem M89611 não permitiu aos insetos realizarem postura. A duração do período de lagarta, pré-pupa, pupa e adultos foram de 10,67, 1,22, 2,13 e 21,33 dias, respectivamente. O peso de pupa para esta linhagem foi de 0,129 e 0,091g para fêmeas e machos, respectivamente. As deformações foram de 25% e a longevidade de 21,3 dias. S. frugiperda aumentou 20,22 vezes a cada geração para a linhagem M89420, com duração média de 37,26 dias e a razão finita de aumento foi de 1,06668. A linhagem M89611 afeta a biologia de S. frugiperda, enquanto que, a linhagem M89287 proporciona maior viabilidade das fases de desenvolvimento e a linhagem M89420 proporciona a maior taxa líquida de reprodução.

The aim of this work was to study the biology of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) and to elaborate the fertility life table of the insect in five strains of corn from the Programa de Melhoramento de Milho da Embrapa Clima Temperado, in Brazil. The following variables were determined: duration and survival of the egg, larval, pre-pupal and pupal phases, pupal weight, deformation, longevity, fecundity and duration of pre-oviposition. The strain M89611 did not allow the insects to lay eggs. The duration of the periods of larvae, pre-pupae, pupae and adults was 10.67, 1.22, 2.13 and 21.33 days, respectively. The pupal weight for this strain was 0.129 and 0.091 g for females and males, respectively. The deformations were 25%, and the longevity was 21.3 days. S. frugiperda increased 20.22 times in each generation for the M89420 strain, with an average of 37.26 days, and the finite rate of increase was 1.06668. The strain M89611 affected the biology of S. frugiperda, whereas the strain M89287 provided greater viability of the development stages, while strain M89420 provided the highest net reproductive rates.

Este trabalho objetivou o desenvolvimento de metodologia para o aproveitamento do resíduo de catalisador de craqueamento de hidrocarbonetos, na produção de refratários silicoaluminosos. Esse resíduo foi utilizado em substituição às matérias-primas convencionais, com o conseqüente ganho ambiental e econômico. Com base em composições químicas e mineralógicas, foram selecionadas formulações de massas refratárias, as quais foram queimadas em temperaturas similares às utilizadas para queima de refratários silicoaluminosos comerciais. A análise das propriedades tecnológicas apresentadas, dentre as formulações propostas, definiu que a formulação que continha 15% em peso de catalisador gasto, obteve as melhores características, sendo estas semelhantes às de um material refratário comercial.

This work aimed the development of methodology for the utilization of the residue of catalyst from of hydro-carbons catalytic cracking process in the production of alumina-silica refractory. This residue was used in substitution of part of conventional raw materials, with the consequent ambient and economic profit. It was selected some formulations based on the chemical and mineralogical compositions of refractory masses. They were fired in similar temperatures to the ones used for production of commercial refractories. The analysis of the technological properties of the formulations proposed, defined that the composition that contained 15% wt of catalyst waste got the best characteristics. The final product showed technical parameters similar to the ones of commercial refractory material.

Con el propósito de inducir la embriogénesis somática (ES) en el guayabo (Psidium guajava L.) se estudiaron tres dosis (1, 5 y 10 mg L-1) de ácido 2,4 diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D), la etapa de desarrollo del embrión cigótico inmaduro (EC) en la cual se indujo la ES y el porcentaje de EC en cada etapa de desarrollo: globular (G), corazón (C), torpedo (T) y cotiledonal (CT), en frutos de guayabo (3,2; 3,4; 3,5 cm de ancho y 3,6; 3,7; 3,8; 3,9; 4 cm de largo) para determinar el grado de asociación existente entre el tamaño de fruto y el porcentaje de EC en etapas de T y CT, mediante un análisis de contingencia. Las variables evaluadas fueron: porcentaje de formación de callo con estructuras embriogénicas (%FCEE), número de embriones somáticos (E) por explante embriogénico (NES) y porcentaje de EC etapa G, C, T y CT que formaban E. El NES fue evaluado mediante la prueba de varianza simple y el test de Tukey; las variables expresadas en porcentajes fueron analizadas estadísticamente a través de la prueba de comparación de proporciones complementado con el test exacto de Fisher´s. Con 1,0 mg L-1 de 2,4-D fue posible inducir la ES (15,15% FCEE) de forma indirecta y de baja frecuencia a partir de EC en etapas de desarrollo T (12%) y CT (7,7%), observándose el mayor porcentaje de EC en dichos estado en frutos inmaduros de 25 - 35 días después de la antésis, cuyo largo y ancho estuvo alrededor de los 4,0 y 3,5 cm, respectivamente.

For the purpose of inducing somatic embryogenesis (SE) in guava (Psidium guajava L.), three dosages were studied (1, 5 and 10 mg L-1) of acid 2,4 diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D), in the immature zigotic embryo (ZE) stage of development in which the SE was induced and the percentage of ZE in each development stage: globular (G), heart (H), torpedo (T) and cotyledonal (CT), were studied in guava fruits (3,2; 3,4; 3,5 cm wide and 3,6; 3,7; 3,8; 3,9; 4 cm long) to determine the degree of T and CT association between the fruit size and the percentage of ZE in stage of T and CT, by means of a contingency analysis. The variables evaluated were: percentage of callus formation with embryogenic structures (%CFES), number of somatic embryos (E), embryogenic explant (NE) and percentage of ZE stage G, H, T and CT that E formed. NE was evaluated by means of the test of simple variance and the Tukey test; the variables expressed in percentages were analyzed statistically through the comparison of proportions test supplemented with the Fisher´s exact test . With 1,0 mg L-1 of 2,4-D it was possible to induce the SE (15,15% CFES) in an indirect way and in a low frequency starting from ZE in development state T (12%) and CT (7,7%). The largest percentage of ZE was observed in this state in immature fruits of 25 - 35 days after the anthesis, the length and width of which was around 4,0 and 3,5 cm, respectively.

In order to determine the effort performed by crossbred draught horses in agricultural work, the biochemical and physiological response of five horses was evaluated after performing five hours of work (3 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon) with a 90 minutes break between the periods. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein with a vacutainer. The haemoglobin concentration and globular volume were determined in whole blood. Lactic acid was determined in deproteinised blood, while cortisol and enzymatic activities were determined in plasma. Cardiac and respiratory frequencies increased significantly with the work. These physiological variables were recovered 30 minutes post exercise. Haemoglobin, globular volume, plasmatic cortisol and enzymatic activities of creatine kinases and aspartate aminotransferase increased significantly during the exercise, but lactic dehidrogenase and lactic acid presented no significant changes. The results showed that the muscular effort performed by the horses was very intense, but this exercise did not produce any evident injury or muscular fatigue on the animals

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar la adaptación fisiológica y bioquímica del caballo mestizo de tiro al realizar trabajos de labranza en suelos arroceros. Se utilizaron 5 caballos mestizos de tiro, clínicamente sanos, durante una jornada de 5 horas, dividida en 3 horas en la mañana y 2 horas en la tarde, con un descanso de una hora y media entre ambos períodos. Se registró la frecuencia cardíaca y respiratoria y la temperatura rectal. Muestras de sangre fueron extraídas desde la vena yugular, en las que se determinó el volumen globular, las concentraciones de hemoglobina, de cortisol y de ácido láctico y las actividades de creatinquinasa, aspartato amino- transferasa y láctico deshidrogenasa. La frecuencia cardíaca en reposo fue de 38 ± 3 lat/min alcanzando promedios máximos de 129 ± 4 lat/min durante el trabajo de la mañana y de 137 ± 8 lat/min en la tarde. La frecuencia respiratoria aumentó desde valores de reposo de 24.8 ± 3.5 resp/min en la mañana y 30.4 ± 4.1 resp/min en la tarde, a valores de 90.8 ± 8.9 resp/min en la mañana y de 111.8 ± 16.3 resp/min en la tarde. La recuperación de las frecuencias respiratoria y cardíaca se logró después de 30 minutos de haber finalizado el trabajo. Durante el ejercicio la temperatura rectal aumentó un promedio de 2.2 ± 0.2° C tanto en la mañana como en la tarde. La concentración de hemoglobina, el volumen globular, la concentración plasmática de cortisol y las actividades plasmáticas de creatinquinasa y transaminasa, aumentaron significativamente durante la jornada de trabajo con respecto al reposo. La actividad láctico deshidrogenasa y la concentración de ácido láctico no mostraron cambios significativos en el período de trabajo comparada con las determinadas en reposo.